Went to McLean's for the first time recently for breakfast, no idea why it took us so long since it's a short walk away. It's basically a non-chain waffle house complete with coffee mugs that advertise land surveyors and personal injury lawyers, but honestly that's exactly what you want sometimes. Cheap, quick, and good. Surprised at how big it actually is once you're inside. Still haven't been to Moore St which is also a short walk away, someone convince me we still need to give it a shot.

Also went to El Pope again recently. The tortas and pupusas remain excellent, but I have a bad feeling that the place is maybe circling the drain since their beer taps haven't been functional for weeks, they only had a couple of incredibly bright lights on with a bunch of others off with no bulbs, the liquor bottles behind the bar all looked mostly empty... just had a "selling off what we have left" vibe, plus there was no music playing which is an odd thing in a mostly quiet restaurant. I hope I'm wrong and they are able to remain afloat.

Jardin: have gone here a couple of times recently, it's still surreal being in the old Baja space and not smelling vomit/spilled stale beer. They had a real jamon iberico leg for one of their charcuterie meats which is just about my favorite thing ever, bartender is a good dude after chatting with him for a while, patio is cozy... it's nice, just very much west end couples coming into the city for a date night vibes which some people may be put off by.